Ensure adequate arrangements for Kheer Bhawani Mela: Chief Secretary

Srinagar, May 20: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Tuesday asked the divisional administrations of both regions to ensure immaculate arrangements for the peaceful and successful celebration of the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela to be observed on June 3 at Tulmulla Ganderbal.

Dulloo was speaking at a high-level meeting of the civil administration and Police Department held to take stock of the preparations being put in place for the smooth conduct of this religious festival.

The meeting besides the Divisional Commissioners was attended by ACS, Jal Shakti; Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA; Director, F&ES; Secretary,  PWD, Secretary, Health; Secretary, RDD; Secretary, Transport; IGP, Kashmir/Jammu; Commissioner, SMC; Relief Commissioner; MD, JKRTC; Director Health, Kashmir; Director ULB, Kashmir and representatives from other departments.

All the concerned Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police participated in the meeting virtually along with several outstation officers.

The Chief Secretary emphasised that both the Divisional Commissioners and Relief Commissioner have close coordination with each other for a pleasant experience for the pilgrims.

He called upon them to make all the arrangements for transportation, accommodation, power, water, sanitation, medical aid and security as well.

Dulloo stressed improving the arrangements whenever necessary. He asked to create amenities for the comfortable and satisfactory stay of the pilgrims at the shrine and enroute. He directed the district administration to make an on-spot assessment of the facilities created and the requirement of any additional steps to be taken by them.

The Chief Secretary also assessed the transportation arrangements for the journey of devotees besides the condition of the road leading to this Shrine, accommodation for a night stay and provision of essential supplies to be made for the smooth conduct of Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela this year.

He asked to ensure proper cleanliness of the Shrine premises and its surroundings besides collection of garbage and other waste material during the festival days.

Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir gave an overview of the measures being taken up by his administration, so far.

He detailed the kind of facilities created for the transportation of pilgrims and accommodation facilities made inside the temple premises and at other nearby locations.

He also threw light on the traffic plan, medical aid, 24◊7 power supply, water, sanitation and disaster management provisions created by the administration. He revealed that the administration has augmented all these facilities given the expected rush of devotees this year.

The Divisional Commissioner, H&UDD, RDD, Tourism, Health and Transport Department informed the meeting about the arrangements made for holding this Mela with great religious zeal and fervour.

It was given out that nodal officers had been designated from the concerned departments to look after the arrangements from these line departments. It was also revealed that provisions for the installation of waterproof tents, holding of cleanliness drives and desiltation of the canal going through the temple complex had also been made to ensure that pilgrims would have an aesthetic and devotional experience during this festival.

The Police Department also showed its readiness in terms of the foolproof security arrangements taken by them for the safety of the devotees coming to attend this age-old festival peacefully.